Boiler with flat horizontal tubes

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a boiler having horizontally arranged flat rectangular water tubes comprising: a water chamber; an inner water chamber to be connected with horizontal water tubes, said horizontally arranged water tubes forming multi-step water tube groups; induction plates provided in the inner water chamber blocking the water path of the horizontal water tubes alternatingly in such a manner as to bend the water path in a zigzag manner; an exhaust gas discharge conduit in straight lattice lines formed by narrow gaps between the horizontal water tubes; and an exhaust gas discharge chamber formed in an upper water chamber. The flat horizontally arranged rectangular water tubes are narrow in their width, making it possible to arrange them densely in the limited space of the combustion chamber, and with their increased heat receiving areas, the water tubes can heat the water in the boiler fast.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hot-water boiler for room heating or for industrial use with flat water tubes arranged horizontally.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional water-tube boilers are equipped either with longitudinally arranged water tubes or with horizontally arranged water tubes, and the water tubes are either round or square in most cases resulting in a larger sectional area of the tube, making it difficult to arrange the water tubes densely in the limited space of the combustion chamber.

This results in smaller overall surface areas of the water tubes that carry out heat receiving operations as compared with a larger quantity of water in the water tubes. As a result, although heat is received at the water tube surfaces, the heat is not transmitted fast enough to the core of the water tubes because of the latent heat of the water, leading to prolonged time for the rise of the boiler temperature. Moreover, as the heat-receiving operations of water tubes is limited to the heat receiving areas, the utility of the heat of the boiler within a given space of the combustion chamber is low, much of the thermal energy being lost through the chimney.

In the case of a boiler with an exhaust gas discharge conduit in a zigzag shape left and right, it is difficult to clean the inside of the boiler as the water tubes are in the way. This results in a situation where carbon and other dust materials accumulate on the water tube surfaces, reducing the heat transmission, deteriorating the performance of the boiler gradually. At a time when energy prices are high, it is necessary to have a boiler with high utility efficiency and with ease and convenience in cleaning.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The object of the present invention is to provide a boiler with flat horizontal water tubes capable of heating the water in the boiler swiftly. In a boiler with horizontally arranged water tubes according to the present invention, many rectangular flat shaped water tubes with narrower lateral width and wider longitudinal width are arranged densely left and right, top and bottom in a limited space of the combustion chamber, forming multi-step water tube groups in such a manner as to communicate with each other via a water path passing through in a zigzag manner, an exhaust gas discharge conduit consisting of narrow gaps between the horizontal water tubes running in straight lattice lines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-performance boiler with improved thermal energy utility by providing flat rectangular water tubes. In the present invention, as the flat horizontal water tubes are of narrow width, they can be arranged densely in the limited, space of the combustion chamber with increased heat receiving areas in a given space. Moreover, the exhaust gas discharge conduit with its narrow width helps enhance the contact of the combustion gas with the horizontally arranged water tubes, enhancing the latter's heat receiving operations. As the exhaust gas discharge conduit runs in straight narrow lattice lines, it reduces the exhaust resistance while improving the combustion operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new boiler that can be used more usefully for room heating and for industrial use, because the narrow exhaust gas discharge conduit running in narrow straight lattice lines makes it easy to clean the inside of the boiler, preventing the deterioration of the performance of the boiler resulting from the accumulated gas and dust.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the boiler according to the present invention comprises the following components:

-   -   a water chamber for storing hot water formed along the four         inside walls of the body of the boiler;     -   an inner water chamber provided interior to the front and rear         sides of the water chamber of the boiler with partitions to be         connected with flat horizontal water tubes lat horizontal         rectangular water tubes with narrower width and wider width that         perform heat receiving operations;     -   multi-step flat horizontal rectangular water tube groups         arranged densely left and right, top and bottom in such a manner         that the water tubes communicate with said inner water chamber;     -   induction plates provided in the inner water chamber in such a         manner as to block the water path of the water tube groups         alternately to induce the water path in a zigzag manner by         providing the induction plates at both end portions of the water         tube groups with altematingly different heights; an exhaust gas         discharge conduit running in straight lattice lines throughout         the space of the combustion chamber formed by narrow gaps         between the horizontal water tubes; and     -   an exhaust gas discharge chamber formed in an upper water         chamber that communicates with an exhaust gas discharge conduit         for ultimately recovering the remaining heat of the combustion         gas. As the boiler according to the present invention is of the         above-noted construction, powerful heat receiving operations are         possible as the highly heated flame and combustion gas make good         contact with the surfaces of the horizontal water tubes of each         water tube group in the process in which the fuel (oil or gas)         blasted from the burner rises through exhaust gas discharge         conduit, gathers in the exhaust gas discharge chamber, and is         discharged through a chimney.

At this time, despite the enlarged heat receiving areas of the horizontal water tubes, the quantity of the water in the horizontal water tubes is small, therefore, water is heated fast while the internal pressure rises. For this reason, the heated water circulates fast from the water tube groups in the lower steps to the water tube groups in the upper steps step by step and flows into the water chamber. Then the water in the water chamber flows fast into the lower step water tubes before it circulates into the upper step water tube groups. In this process, the water in the boiler is heated to a high temperature.

Advantageous Effects

In the boiler according to the present invention, a multiplicity of flat horizontal rectangular water tubes are densely arranged left and right, top and bottom in multiple steps in the limited space of the combustion chamber surrounded by water chambers in such a way that the water tubes can communicate with the inner water chamber, therefore, with the horizontal water tubes having greater heat receiving areas as compared with the smaller quantity of water in the horizontal water tubes, the water in the horizontal water tubes are heated fast by the heat-receiving operations of the horizontal water tubes.

Furthermore, as the exhaust gas discharge conduit is formed through the narrow gaps between the horizontally arranged water tubes, the highly heated flames and combustion gas passing through the exhaust gas discharge conduit makes good close contact with the surfaces of the horizontal water tubes leading to powerful heat receiving operations, thereby enhancing the heat utility efficiency.

Further, as the exhaust gas discharge conduit, with its narrow width, runs in straight lattice lines, it reduces the exhaust resistance, enhancing the combustion operations, and making it easy to clean the interior of the boiler. Therefore, the boiler according to the present invention may be used usefully as a high-performance boiler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1. FIG. 1 is a partly cut-out frontal perspective view of the boiler according to the present invention.

2. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken from the front (the side at which the burner is mounted) of the boiler according to the present invention.

3. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the boiler taken from its side according to the present invention.

[Numerals Used for Key Components in the Drawings]

1: body of the boiler; 2: water chamber; 2 a: inner water chamber; 3: horizontal water tube; 3A: water tube group; 3 r: water path 4: inner wall; 4 a: partition; 4 c: induction plate; 4 d: guide plate [28] 5: combustion chamber; 5 a: exhaust gas discharge conduit; [29] 5 b: exhaust gas outlet; 5 c: exhaust gas discharge chamber

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the boiler according to the present invention, the water chamber formed along the inside walls of the body of the boiler is separated from the lower water chamber formed around the combustion chamber in such a manner as to communicate with each other through a hole.

Also, seen from the front where the burner is mounted, there is an inner water chamber provided interior to the front and rear sides of the water chamber of the boiler with partitions to be connected with flat horizontal water tubes.

As the horizontal water tubes are in a flat rectangular shape with narrower top width and wider side width , they can be arranged densely left and right, top and bottom in the limited space of the combustion chamber of the boiler, and both ends of the horizontal water tubes are connected with the inner water chamber, forming multiple step water tube groups top and bottom.

As a result, the overall heat receiving areas of the horizontal water tubes increase as compared with the relatively small amount of water in the horizontal water tubes and enable the boiler to heat the water fast by the heat receiving operations of the horizontal water tubes. Induction plates are provided in the inner water chamber in such a manner as to block the water path of the water tube groups alternately to induce the water path in a zigzag manner by providing the induction plates at both end portions of the water tube groups with alternatingly different heights. Therefore, the water in the water tubes can be heated as the water circulates up and down between lower step water tube groups and the upper step water tube groups.

The exhaust gas discharge conduit consists of narrow gaps between the laterally arranged water tubes top and bottom and runs in straight lattice lines in the space occupied by the water tube groups. As the exhaust gas discharge conduit is narrow, the heat receiving operations of the horizontal water tubes are carried out well. As the exhaust gas discharge conduit is in straight lines without curving, the exhaust resistance is reduced, enhancing the combustion operations. In the middle portion in the space of the combustion chamber, there is a guide plate formed on both sides that guides the combustion gas toward the central portion.

In the upper water chamber there is an exhaust gas discharge chamber formed in communication with the exhaust gas discharge conduit to ultimately recover the remaining heat of the combustion gas.

In the upper and lower portions of the water chamber, there are water supply tubes and a water inlet respectively; and at the bottom of the combustion chamber, there is a drain for the cleaning water to drain out.

As the boiler according to the present invention is of the above-noted construction, powerful heat receiving operations are possible as the highly heated flame and combustion gas make good contact with the surfaces of the horizontal water tubes of each water tube group in the process in which the fuel (oil or gas) blasted from the burner rises through exhaust gas discharge conduit, gathers in the exhaust gas discharge chamber, and is discharged through a chimney. At this time, despite the enlarged heat receiving areas of the horizontal water tubes, the quantity of the water in the horizontal water tubes is small, therefore, water is heated fast while the internal pressure rises. For this reason, the heated water circulates fast from the water tube groups in the lower steps to the water tube groups in the upper steps step by step and flows into the water chamber. Then the water in the water chamber flows fast into the lower step water tubes before it circulates into the upper step water tube groups. In this process, the water in the boiler is heated to a high temperature.

The combustion gas is induced toward the central portion of the exhaust gas discharge conduit by guide plates. As the exhaust gas discharge conduit is arranged uniformly in lattice lines without curving in the overall space of the combustion chamber, it encounters little exhaust resistance and produces good combustion operations, thereby maintaining good heat receiving operations at the water tube groups. Most of the heat of the combustion gas discharged is recovered before the discharged gas reaches the exhaust gas discharge chamber, and the remaining, heat of the combustion gas that flowed into the exhaust gas discharge chamber is ultimately recovered by the upper water chamber while the progress of discharge through the chimney is being delayed. At this time, the temperature of the gas discharged through the chimney is not more than 100-200° C., which represents a very high heat recovery rate of a water tube boiler.

Furthermore, it is easy to clean the inside of the boiler through the exhaust gas discharge chamber. Therefore, the carbon and dust accumulating on the water chamber groups can be removed whenever necessary to prevent the deterioration of the performance of the boiler.

As described above, the boiler according to the present invention can be used usefully for room heating and for industrial use with its very high heat utility efficiency.

Mode for the Invention

A mode for the present invention is described in detail as follows by the drawings attached.

As shown in FIG. 1, the boiler according to the present invention comprises the following components:

-   -   a water chamber (2) formed along the inside walls of the body         (1) of the boiler;     -   an inner water chamber (2 a) provided interior to the front and,         rear sides of the water chamber (2) of the boiler with         partitions (4 a) to be connected with horizontal water tubes         (3);     -   flat horizontal rectangular water tubes (3) with narrower         width (a) and wider width (b) with increased heat receiving         areas;     -   multi-step flat horizontal rectangular water tube groups (3A)         arranged densely in such a manner that the horizontal         rectangular water tubes are connected with said inner water         chamber (2 a);     -   induction plates (4 c) provided in the inner water chamber (2 a)         in such a manner as to block the water path (3 r) of the water         tube groups (3A) alternately to induce the water path (3 r) in a         zigzag manner by providing the induction plates (4 c) at both         end portions of the water tube groups (3A) with alternatingly         different heights; an exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a)         running in straight lattice lines throughout the space of the         combustion chamber (5) formed by the narrow gaps between the         horizontal water tubes; and     -   an exhaust gas discharge chamber (5 c) formed in the upper water         chamber (2 b) that communicates with the exhaust gas discharge         conduit (5 a) for ultimately recovering the remaining heat of         the combustion gas.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the boiler according to the present invention, a water chamber (2) is formed between the outer wall (numeral not given) and the inner wall (4) throughout the inside walls of the body (1) of the boiler; and at the bottom side of the water chamber (2) around the combustion chamber (5), there is a lower water chamber (2 c) formed in such a manner as to communicate with the water chamber (2) through holes (2 h). In the upper portion of the water chamber (2), there are water supply tubes (p, p′); and in the lower water chamber (2 c), there is a water inlet (K).

As seen from the front where a burner (B) for the combustion chamber (5) is mounted, partitions (4 a) are formed at both the front and the rear sides in the middle portion of the water chamber (2), the inner walls (4) of the water chamber (2) separating the water chamber (2) from the inner water chamber (2 a), said partitions (4 a) being connected with the horizontal water tubes (3), said water chamber (2) and said inner water chamber (2 a) communicating via holes (2 h) of the lower water chamber (2 c).

The horizontal water tubes (3) are in a flat rectangular shape with a narrower lateral width (a) and a wider longitudinal width (b) and a given length (£). The horizontal water tubes (3) of said composition are arranged densely at regular narrow intervals left and right, top and bottom in such a way that they stand with the narrow side (a) at the top and the wider side (b) at the side. Both front and rear ends of the horizontal water tubes (3) are welded to the partitions (4 a) in such a manner that the horizontal water tubes communicate with the inner water chamber (2 a), with the openings made at the welded portions of the partitions being left open for the water to flow through. Each step of the groups of the laterally arranged water tubes (3) is referred to as water tube group (3A). The group of water tubes in the uppermost step (3An) are arranged in such a way that the wider width (b) side is at the top thereby forming a water tube wall, and one end portion (3 e) of said water tube group (3An) communicates with the upper portion of the water chamber (2), while one end portion (3 e) of the water tube group in the lowest step (3A) communicates with the lower portion of the water chamber (2). In order to make the water path (3 r) of each water tube group (3A) communicate with each other in a zigzag line, induction plates (4 c) are provided in the inner water chamber (2 a) at both end portions of each water tube, groups (3A), said induction plates connected with the top surfaces of the horizontal water tubes (3) being welded to the inner wall (4) of the water chamber (2), blocking the water path (3 r) of the water tube groups (3A) alternately with different heights.

The exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a) consisting of narrow gaps between the horizontal water tubes (3) is uniformly distributed in straight lattice lines between the water tube groups occupying the space of the combustion chamber (5) toward the exhaust gas discharge chamber (5 c). In the middle portion inside the combustion chamber, there are known guide plates (4 d) to guide the combustion gas toward the central portion of the exhaust gas discharge conduit. In the upper water chamber (2 b), there is formed an exhaust gas discharge chamber (5 c) for ultimately recovering the remaining heat of the combustion gas in such a manner as to communicate with the exhaust gas outlet (5 b) and the chimney (5 d) of the exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a). At the bottom of the combustion chamber (5) there is formed a drain (d) for the cleaning water to drain out.

The operations of the present invention with aforesaid construction are explained as follows.

The fuel (oil or gas) injected from the, burner (B) is burned in the combustion chamber (5), rises through the exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a) and gathers in the exhaust gas discharge chamber (5 c) by way of the exhaust gas outlet (5 b) and then is discharged through the chimney (5 d). As the flat horizontal water tubes (3) are arranged densely in the limited space of the combustion chamber (5), forming water tube groups (3A), the highly heated combustion gas and flames passing through the exhaust gas discharge conduit (Sa) consisting of narrow gaps between the horizontal water tubes (3) make good direct contact with the surfaces of the horizontal water tubes (3) leading to powerful heat receiving operations by the surfaces of the horizontal water tubes. While the heat receiving areas of the horizontal water tubes (3) are increased, the amount of the water in the horizontal water tubes (3) is small, therefore, the water (w) is heated fast resulting in the rise of the inner pressure of the horizontal water tubes (3). Therefore, the heated water circulates fast from the water tube groups (3A) in the lower steps to the water tube groups (3An) in the upper steps via the water path (3 r) and flows with added heat into the upper portion of the water chamber (2). In the lower portion of the water chamber (2), a high temperature of the water is maintained as the water flows into the water tube groups (3A) in the lower steps. The heated water is supplied to the exterior through, the water supply tubes (p, p′), and the cooled water returns to the water chamber (2) through the water inlet (K).

The combustion gas is induced into the central portion of the exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a) by the guide plates (4 d). As the exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a), though narrow, is distributed uniformly in straight lattice lines, the exhaust resistance is reduced while maintaining good combustion operations. Moreover, as the exhaust gas discharge chamber (5 c) is composed of wider space compared with the exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a), the discharge of the combustion gas that flowed into the exhaust gas discharge chamber (5 c) is delayed, during which time, the remaining heat contained in the combustion gas is ultimately recovered by the upper water chamber (2 b). This significantly reduces the loss of the thermal energy discharged through the chimney (5 d).

Besides, as the exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a) is arranged in straight lattice lines, a water injector can be placed in the combustion chamber (5) to inject water in order to clean the dirt and dust accumulated as far as the water tube group (3An) in the uppermost, step. With the dirt and dust cleaned from the horizontal water tubes (3), the heat receiving operations of the water tubes are maintained well thereby improving the performance of the boiler. As the water used for cleaning is drained away through the drain (d), the boiler can be cleaned satisfactorily.

Industrial Applicability

In the boiler according to the present invention, a multiplicity of flat horizontal rectangular water tubes are arranged densely left and right, top and bottom in the limited space of the combustion chamber surrounded by water tubes in such a manner as to communicate with the inner water chamber. Therefore, the heat receiving areas of the horizontal water tubes increase as compared with the smaller amount of water in the horizontal water tubes, leading to the fast heating of the water in the horizontal water tubes by the heat receiving operations of the horizontal water tubes.

Further, as the exhaust gas discharge conduit is formed by the narrow gaps between the horizontal water tubes, the highly heated flames and combustion gas passing through the exhaust gas discharge conduit make good close contact with the surfaces of the horizontal water tubes, producing powerful heat receiving operations, thereby enhancing the utility of the thermal energy of the boiler.

Besides, great part of the heat of the discharged combustion gas is recovered before the discharged combustion gas reaches the exhaust gas discharge chamber. As the discharge of the combustion gas through the chimney is delayed while it has flowed into the exhaust gas discharge chamber, the remaining heat is ultimately recovered by the upper water chamber. At this time, as the temperature of the combustion gas discharged through the chimney is not more than 100-200° C., the thermal energy recovery rate is very high for a water tube boiler.

Further, it is easy to clean the inside of the boiler through the exhaust gas discharge conduit. Therefore, if dirt and dust accumulate on the water tube groups, they can be cleaned as often as necessary to prevent deterioration of the performance of the boiler resulting from dirt and dust.

As mentioned above, the boiler according to the present invention can be used usefully for room heating and for various industrial uses with its excellent heat utility efficiency. 

1. boiler with flat horizontal water tubes comprising: water chamber (2) formed along the inside walls of the body (1) of the boiler; an inner water chamber (2 a) with partitions (4 a) formed interior to the front and rear sides of said water chamber (2), said inner water chamber (2 a) being separated from said water chamber (2) by inner walls (4) of the water chamber (2), said water chamber (2) and said inner water chamber (2 a) communicating through holes (2 h) with a lower water chamber (2 c) formed around a combustion chamber (5); multiplicity of flat horizontal water tubes (3) arranged densely left and right, top and bottom, said water tubes (3) forming multiple steps of water tube groups (3A) top and bottom, both ends of said water tubes (3) being connected with partitions (4 a) in such a manner as to communicate with an upper water chamber (2 b); induction plates (4 c) provided in the inner water chamber (2 a) in such a manner as to block the water path (3 r) of the water tube groups (3A) alternately to induce the water path (3 r) in a zigzag manner by providing the induction plates (4 c) at both end portions of the water tube groups (3A) with altematingly different heights; an exhaust gas discharge conduit (5 a) formed by narrow gaps between the horizontal water tubes (3) arranged in the space of the combustion chamber (5) in such a manner as to communicate with an exhaust gas discharge chamber (5 c) for the exhaust gas to be discharged through an exhaust gas outlet (5 b) and a chimney (5 d). 